54: Rebecca’s Arrival
After finishing the breakfast Liz had lovingly prepared, I sensed Samarkand moving silently to take his position behind me. He must have been waiting for the right moment.
“What is it?”
“I have already reported to Liz-sama. I have received a direct order from His Majesty.”
“…From His Majesty?”
Our king, His Majesty the Demon King, while a respectable and generally kind superior, could also be quite demanding and prone to giving his subordinates unreasonable tasks.
Opening this letter makes me nervous.
I checked the magical seal and the traditional wax seal, following protocol. They knew the magical signatures of the supreme commanders. As I touched the letter, the magical seal released.
“Liz, permission to open. Please.”
“Yes.” Liz retrieved a letter opener from a small pocket hidden inside her apron. She sliced through the wax seal with a graceful flourish and handed me the contents.
I carefully unfolded the letter and scanned its contents.
“Oh.”
“Good news?”
“Yes. We’re getting reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements? How many?”
“Um… I’m not sure.”
“…What?” Liz frowned.
“I don’t recognize this official format… Liz, could you read it? I’m pretty sure it says they’re sending someone from the undead army, but is that right? And how many? One? Two?”
“Yes. But Master, you usually read official documents without any problems…”
“I think so, too.”
My ability to read, write, and speak the language of this world was either due to the fact that they all spoke Japanese, or because I’d been given a convenient language decryption option upon being summoned.
I suspected it was the latter, but perhaps this was its limit.
But even Liz, a native speaker, tilted her head in confusion.
“One, or perhaps one… or perhaps…?”
“The ‘perhaps’ is concerning, but I’m also not sure what you mean by ‘one.’”
“I’m not sure either. This is rather sudden. Tomorrow? Samarkand, you should read this as well.”
“Yes.”
“We were almost wiped out due to lack of guards. Maybe that’s why they’re rushing this.”
“Indeed. …But both His Majesty and Eldritch-sama are taking a risk. She’s a veteran.”
“So, it’s a woman. Is she famous?”
“Yes. Rebecca Stagnet is the chief necromancer of the undead army. A top-class necromancer. Highly accomplished, trusted, and with extensive combat experience. However, she’s currently assigned to the rear… stationed at the royal castle, due to her contributions to spell refinement.”
Liz suddenly looked uneasy.
“Samarkand, do you know her?”
“I know her name and general appearance. She’s quite famous.”
“…Do you think it will be alright?”
“Whatever my master does is right.”
“Give me an answer that acknowledges my concerns without your blind faith in Master.”
“My master is wise and, despite appearances, adheres to the rules. She clearly distinguishes between right and wrong. And most importantly, she understands people. I don’t think there will be any major problems.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“Yes. Is that not Liz-sama’s opinion as well?”
“…It is.”
“I’m so happy. Liz, you think I’m wise and follow the rules.”
“Yes. You’re very good at pushing the boundaries of the rules, exercising your authority to the limit, and giving orders that are technically within the regulations but difficult to refuse due to your position.”
I couldn’t deny that, so I simply smiled and changed the subject.
But there was something in her tone… what was she worried about?
Rebecca Stagnet. I wonder what kind of person she is…
The next day.
“I am Rebecca Stagnet, necromancer, dispatched from the undead army.”
As I watched her give her introductory greeting in the audience chamber—a rather austere room with only a raised platform, a chair, and a red carpet—my questions were answered.
“I have been assigned by His Majesty and Eldritch-sama, Commander-in-Chief of the Undead Army, to serve as instructor to the undead forces under the Lord of Disease.”
She spoke slowly, clearly, and concisely, with the air of a seasoned veteran.
However, she looked like a little girl.
She was short. So short that our eyes met even though she was standing and I was sitting in the chair.
She had unusually pale skin for this world, almost doll-like. Long, pointed elf ears, like bamboo leaves. Long, silver hair, almost eerily beautiful.
She wore a faded black gothic-style shirt and skirt with frills, which looked adorable on her. A delicate silver tiara adorned her head, decorated with leaves and vines. A faded black ribbon was tied at the end.
“I look forward to working with you.” Her voice was calm and soothing, as if she was deliberately lowering her pitch to compensate for her childlike vocal cords.
Then, she smiled faintly.
I nodded.
“I am the Lord of Disease. Welcome. I look forward to working with you as well.”
I stood up, walked towards her, and extended my hand.
“May I call you Rebecca?”
“Yes, I don’t mind.”
We shook hands.
Her small, soft hand felt… familiar. But I’d never shaken hands with someone with such small hands before, so I savored the novel sensation.
I smiled.
“Once again, welcome, Rebecca. We’ve prepared a laboratory for you in the basement. Your room is on the second floor. Liz will show you around later. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
“Just in case you don’t know them, let me introduce you. This is Liz… Lizlit Finis, and Samarkand.”
“You may call me Liz. That’s what Master calls me.”
“You may call me Samarkand.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She bowed her head slightly. What a well-behaved child.
“Rebecca, can I hug you?”
“Yes—wait, what?”
Having received permission, I embraced her without hesitation.
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